This help is critical, since she lives on a $63/month pension and suffers from a host of medical issues — diabetes, high blood pressure, and various gastrointestinal disorders — that keep her largely homebound.

A mock daytime Seder event will be a welcome reprieve. It is designed to teach elderly Jews like Bella about Passover, since their lives under Communism had many barriers to access for learning about Jewish culture and tradition.

Forty-five clients of Odessa’s JDC-supported Hesed social welfare center are expected to participate in the program.

“I’m looking forward to the being surrounded by friends on such a festive occasion,” Bella said. “I have a very vague idea of what Passover is. Mostly, I just know that it’s got something to do with matzah. But as to why matzah and what it means, I have no clue. I’m excited to find out!”